THROUGH 10/27
The Barber of Seville
Opening Lyric Opera’s 2019-2020 season, this operatic comedy promises to both captivate and endear audiences with the love story of Count Almaviva and Rosina. Times vary, tickets $69-$299
10/3-11/21
Latino Music Festival
For six weeks, celebrate Spain and Latin America’s contributions to classic and modern music during events throughout the city. Tickets and locations vary, latinomusicfest.org
Tetsuya Ishida, “Convenience Store Mother and Child” (1996)
10/3-12/14
Tetsuya Ishida: Self- Portrait of Other
In Ishida’s United States debut, his exhibit is comprised of 70 paintings, notebooks and drawings encapsulating and challenging consumerist society in Japan. Tickets $16, Wrightwood 659
10/4
Light Up the Night Benefit
Supporting families in extreme poverty, Light Up the Night looks to inspire and change perspectives while guests enjoy a night under the stars. 6-9:30pm, tickets $200- $2,500, Adler Planetarium
10/4
Spanish Dance Theater + Cerqua Rivera
Two of Chicago’s favorite companies come together for one exuberant night of flamenco, classic and contemporary dance. 7:30pm, tickets $29-$68, Auditorium Theatre
10/5
Rare & Wild Beer Fest
The Field Museum is your playground as you pour over 60 local and national brews. 8-11pm, tickets $50-$65, rareandwildbeerfest.com
10-5/6
Aliens, Immigrants & Other Evildoers
For a reflrective and reactive evening, watch Jose Torres-Tama's one-man show as part of the Destinos festival. 7pm tickets $15-$20, National Museum of Mexican Art, clata.org
10/5-6
A Celebration of Lar Lubovitch
Chicago’s father of modern dance will be honored with a performance of his major works by dancers from both Joffrey Ballet and Martha Graham Dance Company. Times vary, tickets $35-$150, Harris Theater
10/7
Community Acoustics
Kicking off MusicNOW’s concert season, the program features two world premieres and Chicago Symphony Orchestra principal percussionist Cynthia Yeh. 7pm, tickets $29, Harris Theater
10/10
Carl Sandburg Literary Awards Dinner
Lionize two local literary treasures—Northwestern graduate George R.R. Martin and Chicagoan Eve Ewing— during an evening benefiting Chicago Public Libraries. 5:30pm, tickets $1,250-$2,500, The Isadore & Sadie Dorin Forum
10/10-19
On Notice
Partnering with the Chicago Architectural Biennial, two experimental groups present a thoughtful critique on media through dance. 7:30pm, tickets $20, zephyrdance.com
10/12-17
Chicago Ideas Week
Let the creativity and inspiration flow into you as some of the brightest minds share their visions and solutions. Tickets $15, times and locations vary, chicagoideas.com
10/14
The Galaxy’s Greatest Hits
Melbourne Symphony Orchestra marks the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing by performing compositions from space exploration flicks. 7:30pm, tickets $27-$122, Chicago Symphony Center
10/15-27
Madonna: Madame X
Obvious iconography aside, you won’t want to miss out on the Queen of Pop’s 14th album, named for her first choreographer. 8:30pm, tickets $231-$4,276, Chicago Theatre
10/16
Ballroom Dancing Class
Enjoy a unique date night or practice for upcoming nuptials with the scenic Lincoln Park Zoo as your backdrop. 6pm, free, Cafe Brauer, RSVP at 773.571.0404, tlilyevents.com
10/16-27
International Film Festival
Get your culture fix with some of the best movies from around the world under one roof for one night. Times vary, tickets $110-$265, AMC River East 21, chicagofilmfestival.com
10/18
Red Jacket Optional Gala
Enjoy decadent bites from Boka Catering Group and inspiring performances by Chicago Children’s Choir while raising money for one of the nation’s top youth choral programs. 6:30pm, tickets $1,000, The Geraghty
10/21-5/31/2021
American Medina: Stories of Muslim Chicago
Learn the stories of Chicago’s Muslim communities dating back to the 1893 World’s Fair, told through audio interviews, artifacts and photos. Times vary, exhibit included with admission, Chicago History Museum
10/22
Solti Foundation Gala
Revere the conductors of orchestras and operas for an evening, with special attention dedicated to this year’s Solti fellow Yaniv Dinur. 6pm, tickets $350, Casino Club
10/22-11/3
An Evening With C.S. Lewis
The tale of this literary sensation’s life, portrayed as a first-person narrative, proves a true master class in storytelling. Times vary, tickets $35-$66, Broadway Playhouse
10/24
Gift of Life Gala
Reminisce on Chicago traditions with classic food and games while supporting the National Kidney Foundation as it honors Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson. 6pm, tickets $350, The Drake Hotel
10/24
Gift of Sight Mystery Masquerade
Keep your eyes peeled for a night of surprises while contributing to sight restoration through the nonprofit Eversight. 6:30pm, tickets $350-$1,000, The Peninsula
10/24
Mummies and Martinis
Experience the thrill of viewing the University of Chicago’s 12 mummies and the real Book of the Dead in a tour led by Egypt expert Foy Scalf for a historically accurate spooky evening. 6:30-9pm, tickets $15, Oriental Institute
10/24
Lightbash 2019
Experience the marriage of technology and art during a fundraiser for what will become the largest public art installation in the Midwest. 6-9pm, tickets $125, Ovation Chicago, thewabashlights.com
10/25
Lynn Sage Benefit Luncheon
Actor Martin Short will speak at the 34th annual luncheon, preceded by the highly anticipated Purse- sue the Cure purse auction. 11am, tickets $300, Hilton Chicago, lynnsage.org
10/26
All Bets on Pink Gala
Conclude Breast Cancer Awareness Month with this 1920s-themed event, complete with casino games and zoot suits. 7pm, tickets $275- $500, Palmer House Hilton, komenchicago.org
10/26
Halloween Masquerade
Dial up the drama on your usual Halloween function at Lyric Opera’s swinging soiree. 8pm-midnight, tickets $150
Photography by: TAKEMI ART PHOTOS; KYURYUDO ART PUBLISHING CO.LTD; JONATHAN TRAVIESA; DAN SILBERSTEIN; J. ALICE JACKSON; BROADWAY IN CHICAGO; CHARISSA JOHNSON PHOTOGRAPHY; TODD ROSENBERG
